I am so unclear about everything after receiving THE LETTER, I wonder if we should discuss OUR understanding of what is going on. For instance: I thought that the Federal Government was my Medicare provider and now I am asked to change that to Aetna, what are the advantages of that? As to the drug program, United Health Care was our provider and the BJ advised in a letter to stick with UC instead of going with Medicare D, now Aetna wants us to join Plan D and pay for that just to pay $5 for generic drugs when we can buy them for $4 at Walmart, and some of the stuff starts Jan. 1 and the form are to be in Jan. 15, etc. etc.
....Ott
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I didn't even get my letter, Ott, so I'm even more in the dark than you are, other than what Harry provided on this blog. I called the BJ human resources and asked for a letter. They had my old address, so maybe that's why I didn't get it. I agree that we should discuss it. Aetna, it looks like, is the prescription insurer of choice by the Canadian. Despite what our union contracts said, we never worked a day for the Canadian so he doesn't feel any obligation to take care of us. Medicare is the primary insurer for those of us 65 or older, with United Health Care still the secondary coverage. At least till the Canadian decides to dump more of our costs onto us, or to just let Medicare be our only doctor/hospital provider. Basically, it comes down to whatever the Canadian decides is good for his bottom line. All of this, of course, eats into our pension, so I consider it a back-door pension cut. For prescriptions, we'll pay $850 (premium plus $250 deductible) a year before the Canadian (and Aetna) pay a penny.
John, when you get the letter let me know if you still think that Aetna will only be your drug provider or if they want to have you route your Medicare A, B and D through them and do the secondary coverage. As I understand it,United Health Care will be gone altogether.
I guess not much interest in this discussion. Maybe after I attend the Jan. 3 session I'll have a better understanding. I sent this to Harry:
>>>Harry, I don't know if you have read the letter, but I will quote the last paragraph on page one to you:
"Second, the Beacon Journal's retiree medical plan is changing from the PPO plan administered by United Healthcare to the Medicare Advantage Plan administered by Aetna. This means that Aetna will administer your Medicare Part A and Part B plans instead of Medicare. Retirees must continue to pay their Medicare Part B premium. The new plan will be effective February 1, 2007. More details of this new plan is also enclosed. "<<<
Now after I switched my Medicare A and B to the Aetna Medicare, what happens if Aetna closes up or something else happens, will the US government take me back into their Medicare?
....Ott
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